It’s like we’re witnessing a resurgence of decade-favourite staples—from bedecking our eyes with cat-eyed sunglasses (a 1950s trend) and encasing our lips with an unblended outline of liner reminiscent of the ’90s supermodel look to sweeping our tendrils into sky-high ponytails with scrunchies (a 1980s must-have accessory), bedazzling our lids with a shade of purple (enter Very Peri) like 2000s Britney, and running Lady Di-approved strokes of blue along our lower waterline, a lot of trends exclusive to the earlier eras are spilling into our routines.
It’s only natural—we’re living through a tumultuous time, and a return to the familiar is exceedingly comforting. Most of our favourites come from the ’90s—when Posh Spice bedecked her lips with brown lipstick and celebrities dotted their eyes with rhinestones (yup, Euphoria and Dua Lipa didn’t do it first). And that’s why we’ve rounded up 8 nostalgia-inducing makeup trends from the 90s that we’re spotting everywhere once again. Don’t worry. We’re not bringing back razor-thin brows any time soon.
Your ’90s Makeup Look-Book
Juicy Gloss
Most trends are transient, but nothing can rival our relentless obsession with glitter-studded lips. It’s minimal, chic, and, well, glossy! And it was such a 90s cool-girl staple! Back when everyone was scrambling to recreate Moesha (American singer Brandy’s T.V alter-ego), J.Lo, and Britney-like lips. It’s no wonder everyone tucked a tube of high-shine gloss in their purses in the ’90s. Something we’re grateful for though? That our hair doesn’t cling to the newer, less-sticky formulas anymore.
90s Supermodel Lips
This trend is witnessing an iconic comeback, and we’re here for it. A Cindy Crawford, Angeline Jolie, and Naomi Campbell-favourite, this look thrived on a shade of nude on the lips, an unblended outline of liner around the borders, and a puckered pout. A new iteration of the look, displayed the likes of Kim Kardashian, Alexa Demie (her entire aesthetic is pivoted on the ’90s) and Storm Reid amongst others, is more wearable in the way that it diffuses the outline into the lighter shade of lipstick sitting atop the lips.
Something Blue
A mere stroke of blue against the lower waterline—that was Princess Diana’s aesthetic. Back in the 90s, shades of blue were in vogue—some sat on the waterline, and some spilled into electric hues all over the lids. Angeline Jolie, particularly, was a fan of painting her lids blue. We’re seeing brighter pops of the colour this time. Just sweep a darker hue of blue toward the outer corners of the eyes, and work towards a lighter hue in the inner corners. Dab a little bit on the lower lash-line as well, and you’re slaying a more-polished look straight out of the ’90s look-book!
Oh Matte God!
Even though we’ve gravitated toward the lit-from-within glow these past few years, the 90s made a riveting case for an all-matte face—from eyeshadows to cheekbones and lips, matte was another look that epitomized the decade, and embodied the not-a-hair-out-of-place aesthetic. Enter Tyra Banks pioneering the look effortlessly. We’re beginning to emulate matte-textured finishes once again—notice how we went from recreating the dolphin skin trend to experimenting with the satin skin trend this year.
Pops of Glitter
Glitter was a ’90s cool-girl staple—whether you dusted a pop of shimmer against your cheekbones, packed a punch over your eyeshadow, or swept some across the décolleté, glitter captured the very mood of the decade. And it is making a comeback with shimmer-laden lids underscoring the trend! And you know what we’re manifesting RN? Drenching our bodies with shimmer like Britney did at her concerts. BRB, gushing over her iconic hot-pink tube-top complementing a smattering of iridescent glitter over her neck, stomach, and shoulders. Manifesting body glitter.
Brick-Brown Lips
The 90s were about slapping a shade of brick-brown on the lips instead of a pink or orange. And, oh, did Jennifer Aniston and Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) do it with grace. It’s clear that we’re still obsessed with the colour, and it’s not going anywhere any time soon. Everyone dipped—and dips—into their palette for a brown because of how flattering the colour is on different complexions, and how effortlessly you can dial it up or down.
Subtle Glam
Look. You cannot deny the fact that soft, subtle glamour is the mood of the year. The concept of stripping back the number of formulas you slather onto your face, and opting for a minimalistic, ‘let your skin be’ approach toward makeup was pioneered by glamazons like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Moss. Recent iterations of the aesthetic are centred around popsicle-stained cheeks, rose-tinted lips, natural-looking brows, and pops of highlighter.
Tightlined eyes
Thanks, Zoë Kravitz, for resurrecting this one. One of the hottest trends of the ’90s, slim-rimmed eyes, or tight lining, was a look right out of the decade’s mood-board. This one plays into the illusion of fuller lashes by lining the upper and lower lash-line with a streak of kohl. It’s there…but not quite there.
The ’90s was a memorable era for makeup. From the edginess of grunge eyeliner to the vibrance of pastels on the lids, it was versatile, iconic, and ahead of its time.
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